Bible Verse Lookup
Is 42:6
Chapter 42
6
I, the Lord, have called you for the sake of justice; I will hold your hand to make you firm; I will make you a Covenant to the people, and as a light to the nations,
I, the Lord, have called you for the sake of justice; I will hold your hand to make you firm; I will make you a Covenant to the people, and as a light to the nations,
Commentaries
First Song of the Servant: Introduction.
This is the first of the so-called songs of the servant (49:1-6; 50:4-9; 52:13-53:12) dedicated to an enigmatic figure who sometimes appears as an individual and sometimes seems to represent the entire people of Israel. Like David, the servant in this poem is chosen by God and anointed for a mission (cf. Mt 3:16-17). The servant acts as a mediator of God’s revelation (the law) and will not use violence or coercion but will strengthen the poor and oppressed (3-4) and offer them salvation (7 cf. Lk 4:17-19). This mission is initiated by the one God, creator of the universe (5), and is meant for all nations (6). From its beginning, the Church’s tradition has applied these songs to Christ (cf. Mt 12:18-21).